(SOLD) This is a 1945 Blue Diamond Parker Striped Duofold Vacumatic in Blue Pearl celluloid with a 14k gold XF nib. The pen has been restored, which included a complete disassembly, a gentle cleaning, an overhaul of the filling mechanism, ink flow adjustment, a nib tune-up, and a gentle polish with a soft cloth (by hand).

In anticipation of #fountainpenday2016, I have another beautiful, rare pen at a reasonable price. The Duofold has been Parker's flagship pen for decades. In the 1940s, the "Striped" Vacumatic Duofold was among the most beautiful pens of the era. The gleaming, shimmering Blue Pearl celluloid has incredible depth and chatoyancy. The colors explode in a rainbow of subtle variations of blue, red, orange, yellow, while the clear portions of the material allow you to see the ink sloshing around inside the barrel. It is a streamlined, elegant design, with graceful lines undisturbed by a filling contraption (such as a lever). The material is in excellent cosmetic condition, as is the gold-filled trim. Barrel transparency is excellent, the imprint is strong. If you've been disappointed by the gaudy modern acrylics and wanted to try a classy celluloid pen of awesome beauty, look no further.

The Senior was the largest model in Parker's line-up, measuring 5.4" capped. The pen posts very well, so it will feel comfortable even for people with large hands. An instrument of superb ergonomics, the Duofold is also a fantastic writer. The phrase I wrote comes from a Parker advertisement, and it describes this pen perfectly. The nib is ground and tuned to perfection. It writes at the lightest pressure, under its own weight, and will write consistent strokes of about 0.4 mm (on my paper) in virtually any direction, including curves and rapid upstrokes. The nib is firm, yet feels soft on paper, thanks to its ability to absorb micro-shocks coming from dragging the writing surface across the paper. Would you be able to find a modern pen that writes as well? Unlikely, even if you have your pen tuned by a nib meister. The vintage nib, made in a process that's largely lost to us, seems tailor-made for people who love to write. If you give yourself this pen as a gift, it'll be a gift that will keep on giving for years to come.